Ampere-hour Meters

Ampere-hour Meters

An ampere-hour meter, also known as an amp-hour meter, is an electrical device used to measure the amount of electrical charge that has passed through a circuit over a period of time. It is commonly used in the measurement of battery capacity and is a critical component in the maintenance and monitoring of battery systems. The device measures the current flowing through a circuit and integrates this value over time to determine the total charge that has passed through the circuit. The ampere-hour meter typically consists of a shunt resistor, which is placed in series with the circuit being measured, and a measuring instrument, such as a moving coil or digital meter. The shunt resistor provides a small voltage drop proportional to the current flowing through the circuit, which is then measured by the instrument. The instrument is calibrated to display the total charge that has passed through the circuit in ampere-hours. Ampere-hour meters are commonly used in a variety of applications, including the measurement of battery capacity in electric vehicles, boats, and other mobile applications. They are also used in the monitoring of battery systems in backup power applications, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and solar power systems. In addition, they are used in the testing and maintenance of electrical systems to ensure that they are operating within their design specifications. Overall, ampere-hour meters are a critical component in the measurement and monitoring of electrical systems, particularly battery systems. They provide a reliable and accurate method of measuring the total charge that has passed through a circuit over time, which is essential for the proper maintenance and operation of these systems.

electrical charge, battery capacity, shunt resistor, measuring instrument, calibration

— Nicholas Gray

CITATION : "Nicholas Gray. 'Ampere-hour Meters.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=284278 (Accessed on July 17, 2025)"